Joel 3:13

KJV

Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness [is] great.

KJV (with Strong's)

Put {H7971} ye in the sickle {H4038}, for the harvest {H7105} is ripe {H1310}: come {H935}, get you down {H3381}; for the press {H1660} is full {H4390}, the fats {H3342} overflow {H7783}; for their wickedness {H7451} is great {H7227}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe; come, and tread, for the winepress is full. The vats are overflowing, for their wickedness is great.

Berean Standard Bible

Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full; the wine vats overflow because their wickedness is great.

American Standard Version

Put ye in the sickle; for the harvest is ripe: come, tread ye; for the winepress is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness is great.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joel 3:13 vividly portrays a scene of impending divine judgment, employing the potent agricultural metaphors of a ripe harvest and an overflowing winepress. This verse serves as a climactic declaration within Joel's prophecy, signaling that the nations' accumulated wickedness has reached its zenith, making them fully ready for God's decisive and overwhelming retribution in the "valley of decision." It underscores the certainty, severity, and justice of God's intervention against those who have oppressed His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joel 3:13 is strategically positioned at the culmination of Joel's prophetic pronouncements concerning the "Day of the Lord" and the judgment of the nations. Immediately preceding this verse, [Joel 3:9-12](/joel/3-9-12 "Joel 3:9-12 - Summons to Judgment") describes a divine summons for all nations to gather in the "valley of Jehoshaphat," a symbolic location where God will execute His judgment. The preceding verses detail the specific grievances against these nations, particularly their mistreatment of Judah and Jerusalem, including scattering God's people and plundering His inheritance. Verse 13 transitions from the summons to the active commencement of judgment, using the familiar imagery of harvesting and wine production to illustrate the imminence and intensity of God's wrath. It acts as a divine command to initiate the final, devastating reckoning, explicitly stating that the reason for this judgment is the immense wickedness of the nations.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery in Joel 3:13 would have resonated deeply with an ancient Israelite audience, whose lives were intrinsically tied to agricultural cycles. The concepts of harvest (gathering grain) and wine production (treading grapes in a press) were central to their economy and daily existence. The "sickle" was the primary tool for reaping, and the "winepress" consisted of an upper treading floor (the *gath*) and a lower vat (the *yeqeb* or "fat") where the juice collected. The mention of the harvest being "ripe" indicates a point of no return – the crop is ready, and delay would mean spoilage. Similarly, a full and overflowing winepress signifies a complete and abundant yield, ready for processing. This agricultural backdrop makes the metaphor of judgment intensely visceral and relatable, conveying the idea that the nations' sins have matured to a point where divine intervention is not only justified but inevitable, much like a farmer must harvest a ripe crop.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Joel and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, emphasizing that God is not indifferent to the wickedness of humanity, particularly the oppression of His chosen people. The "harvest" and "winepress" serve as potent symbols of God's unyielding commitment to righteousness and His ultimate intervention to right wrongs. Secondly, it reinforces the concept of the **Sovereignty of God** over all nations and history; He is the one who summons, judges, and executes His will. Thirdly, the phrase "for their wickedness is great" underscores the theme of **Accumulated Sin and the Fullness of Iniquity**. This idea, seen elsewhere in scripture (e.g., [Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites")), suggests that God's patience has limits, and there comes a point when sin reaches a critical mass, necessitating decisive judgment. Finally, the imagery foreshadows the **Day of the Lord** as a time of both judgment for the wicked and ultimate vindication and restoration for God's people, a theme that reverberates throughout prophetic literature, culminating in the New Testament's eschatological visions, such as those found in [Revelation 14](/revelation/14 "Revelation 14 - The Harvest and Winepress of God's Wrath").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **ripe (Hebrew, _bâshal'_):** (H1310) A primitive root meaning "to boil up," but figuratively, "to ripen" or "to be done." In Joel 3:13, it signifies that the "harvest" (of wickedness) has reached its full maturity, indicating that the time for judgment is not just near, but has fully arrived and is unavoidable. The sins of the nations have fermented to their bitter end, making them ready for divine processing.
* **press (Hebrew, _gath'_):** (H1660) Refers specifically to the upper part of a winepress, the treading floor or vat where grapes are crushed. Its fullness indicates an abundance of grapes ready for crushing, symbolizing the overwhelming quantity of the wicked awaiting judgment. The imagery evokes the violent act of treading, which would extract the juice, here representing the outpouring of divine wrath.
* **overflow (Hebrew, _shûwq'_):** (H7783) A primitive root meaning "to run after or over," specifically "to overflow." When applied to the "fats" (the lower vats of the winepress), it vividly depicts the immense volume of juice (symbolizing blood or wrath) that results from the crushing. This emphasizes the sheer scale and intensity of the impending judgment, suggesting an overwhelming and inescapable deluge of divine retribution.
* **wickedness (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** (H7451) Refers to evil, whether natural or moral, encompassing badness, calamity, distress, and general wrongdoing. In this context, it explicitly states the moral reason for God's judgment. The "greatness" (H7227, *rab*) of their wickedness signifies its magnitude, accumulation, and heinous nature, justifying the severe and comprehensive judgment described by the harvest and winepress metaphors.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe:"** This is a divine command, likely addressed to angelic reapers or instruments of God's judgment. The "sickle" is the tool of harvest, signifying the act of gathering. The declaration that the "harvest is ripe" indicates that the wickedness of the nations has reached its full maturity, making them ready for immediate and decisive judgment. There is no more time for repentance; the season for reckoning has arrived.
* **"come, get you down;"** This is a further imperative, a command to descend into the "press." It reinforces the urgency and directness of the divine decree. "Getting down" implies entering the winepress, preparing for the violent act of treading out the grapes, which here symbolize the nations.
* **"for the press is full, the fats overflow;"** This clause provides further justification and vivid imagery for the command. The "press" (the treading vat) being "full" means there is an abundance of "grapes" (the wicked nations). The "fats" (the lower collection vats) "overflowing" depicts the immense quantity of juice (symbolizing blood or wrath) that results from the treading, emphasizing the overwhelming and inescapable nature of God's judgment.
* **"for their wickedness is great."** This final clause explicitly states the ultimate reason for the severe judgment. The "greatness" of their wickedness signifies its magnitude, accumulation, and heinous nature, providing the moral justification for God's decisive and overwhelming intervention. It underscores the principle that divine judgment is always proportionate to the sin committed.

#### Literary Devices
Joel 3:13 is rich in **Metaphor** and **Symbolism**, primarily employing agricultural imagery to convey profound theological truths. The entire verse functions as an extended **Metaphor** where the "harvest" and "winepress" represent divine judgment. The "sickle" is a metonym for the agents of judgment, and the "ripe harvest" symbolizes the nations whose sins have matured to the point of requiring immediate reckoning. The "press" and "fats" are vivid symbols of the place and process of God's wrath, with the "overflowing" fats powerfully symbolizing the overwhelming and inescapable outpouring of divine retribution, often associated with bloodshed. The repeated use of **Imperative Mood** ("Put ye in," "come, get you down") lends a sense of urgency, divine authority, and inevitability to the judgment. Furthermore, the verse exhibits a form of **Parallelism**, where the "ripe harvest" and "full/overflowing press" both serve as corroborating evidence for the necessity of judgment, reinforcing the message that the nations' wickedness has reached its peak.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joel 3:13 profoundly articulates the biblical truth of God's righteous judgment and His ultimate sovereignty over human history. It establishes that there is a divinely determined limit to human sin and oppression, beyond which God's patience gives way to His just wrath. The agricultural imagery powerfully conveys the idea that sin, like a crop, grows and matures, eventually yielding a harvest of consequences. This judgment is not arbitrary but is a direct response to the "great wickedness" of the nations, underscoring God's moral governance of the world. It provides assurance to the oppressed that their cries for justice are heard and that God will indeed intervene to vindicate His people and punish their oppressors, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to justice and righteousness.

* [Revelation 14:14-20](/revelation/14-14-20 "Revelation 14:14-20 - The Harvest of the Earth and the Winepress of God's Wrath")
* [Isaiah 63:1-6](/isaiah/63-1-6 "Isaiah 63:1-6 - The Divine Warrior and the Winepress")
* [Matthew 13:30](/matthew/13-30 "Matthew 13:30 - The Parable of the Weeds")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joel 3:13 serves as a stark and sobering reminder of divine accountability. It challenges us to consider the gravity of sin, not merely as individual transgressions but as a cumulative force that can provoke God's righteous judgment. For believers, this verse offers profound comfort and hope: God sees injustice, and He will ultimately rectify all wrongs. It assures us that the suffering of the righteous is not unnoticed and that the oppressors will face their due. This should inspire us to trust in God's perfect timing and justice, even when the world seems chaotic or unjust. For all, it is a powerful call to introspection and repentance. If the wickedness of nations can reach a point of no return, so too can individual or societal sin. It urges us to live righteously, to champion justice, and to seek reconciliation with God, understanding that there is an appointed time for every "harvest."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of a "ripe harvest" and an "overflowing winepress" deepen your understanding of God's justice and the severity of sin?**
* **In what ways might we, as individuals or as a society, be "ripening" for judgment, and what steps can be taken to turn back to God?**
* **How does the certainty of God's ultimate judgment provide comfort or challenge to your personal faith and actions?**

### FAQ

**What is the "valley of Jehoshaphat" mentioned in the broader context of Joel 3?**

Answer: The "valley of Jehoshaphat" (mentioned in [Joel 3:2](/joel/3-2 "Joel 3:2 - The Valley of Jehoshaphat")) is primarily a symbolic location rather than a specific geographical place. Its name, meaning "The Lord Judges," signifies that it is the place where God will gather the nations to execute His divine judgment. While some scholars have attempted to identify it with the Kidron Valley in Jerusalem, its primary significance in Joel is theological: it represents the decisive arena for God's final reckoning with the nations who have oppressed His people. This valley is where the "harvest" of judgment described in [Joel 3:13](/joel/3-13 "Joel 3:13 - The Harvest of Judgment") will take place.

**Does Joel 3:13 imply that God delights in judgment?**

Answer: No, Joel 3:13 does not imply that God delights in judgment, but rather that He is a righteous and just God who must respond to persistent and great wickedness. The prophet Ezekiel clarifies God's heart, stating, "[Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?](/ezekiel/18-23 "Ezekiel 18:23 - God's Desire for Repentance")" and "[For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD; so turn, and live](/ezekiel/18-32 "Ezekiel 18:32 - God's Desire for Life")". The judgment described in Joel 3:13 is a necessary consequence of the nations' accumulated sin, demonstrating God's holiness and His commitment to justice for His oppressed people. It is a testament to His moral order, not a sadistic desire for destruction.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joel 3:13, with its vivid imagery of divine judgment, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. While the immediate context speaks of God's judgment on the nations, the New Testament reveals Jesus Christ as the one through whom all judgment is executed, as stated in [John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - Christ as Judge"). He is the one who will "put in the sickle" at the final harvest, separating the righteous from the wicked, a theme powerfully depicted in His parables, such as the parable of the weeds in [Matthew 13:36-43](/matthew/13-36-43 "Matthew 13:36-43 - Explanation of the Weeds"). Furthermore, the imagery of the overflowing winepress, symbolizing the outpouring of God's wrath, finds its most dramatic fulfillment in Christ's own suffering on the cross, where He, as the Lamb of God, bore the full weight of divine judgment for the sins of humanity ([Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5-6 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - Christ's Atoning Sacrifice")). Paradoxically, the one who will preside over the final judgment is also the one who, through His atoning sacrifice, offers an escape from that very wrath, inviting all to repentance and faith before the "harvest is ripe" for judgment ([Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Romans 5:9 - Saved from Wrath Through Christ")). Ultimately, the terrifying picture of judgment in Joel 3:13 points to the necessity of Christ's redemptive work and His future role as the righteous Judge who will bring all things to their just conclusion, including the final crushing of evil ([Revelation 19:15](/revelation/19-15 "Revelation 19:15 - Christ Treading the Winepress of Wrath")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 14:15

And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

Revelation 14:20

And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand [and] six hundred furlongs.

Mark 4:29

But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

Hosea 6:11

Also, O Judah, he hath set an harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of my people.

Isaiah 63:3

I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people [there was] none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.

Jeremiah 51:33

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; The daughter of Babylon [is] like a threshingfloor, [it is] time to thresh her: yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall come.

Matthew 13:39

The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.